Full copies of the 2009 Santa Barbara County Community Health Status Report and its supplemental report are now available online at the county’s public health department website: sbcphd.org.
The two documents investigate the leading causes of premature death and offer information about risk factors and preventative steps to improve public health.
The Public Health Department developed the report as a way to provide information to county staffers, local professionals, and the general public about the health of Santa Barbara County residents. Officials use the information when making decisions about program and policy development and resource allocation.
Based on information gathered in 2007, coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death among county residents of all ages. It’s also the leading cause of premature death. According to the report, coronary heart disease generally occurs when arteries become clogged with cholesterol and fat deposits, which restrict the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart.
A leading risk factor for coronary heart disease is obesity. The report found that about 53 percent of adults living in Santa Barbara County are overweight or obese.
In 2007, just about 69 percent of the county’s Latino adults reported excessive weight, compared to 46.2 percent of white adults. This is due in part, the report said, to lower income levels among Latinos, which limits access to healthier, higher-cost foods.
The report also found the county has three times as many fast food restaurants as supermarkets and produce vendors, with an even higher ratio of fast food restaurants to markets in many lower-income neighborhoods.
Motor vehicle accidents were the second leading cause of premature death, and the leading cause of all deaths among people between the ages of 15 and 44. Deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents were much more common among male drivers and drivers 15 to 24 years of age.
Accidental drug overdose was the third leading cause of premature death in the county. The report found that accidental drug overdosing actually accounted for a small number of deaths. However, since the deaths occurred mostly among people younger than 55, the deaths accounted for more years of life lost.
The report also revealed a mix of positive and negative health trends.
“The epidemiological data shows that certain health problems in our communities are increasing, while others are decreasing or improving,” County Health Officer Dr. Elliot Schulman said in a press release accompanying the report.
For example, stroke-related deaths, smoking among adults, and HIV transmission through needle sharing have decreased in Santa Barbara County over the past five to 10 years. However, births to teens and AIDS cases among Latinos have each increased in recent years.
“Medical and other service providers can use this information to target their programs and services accordingly,” Schulman explained in the release.
For more information about the leading causes of death in Santa Barbara County, including risk factors and preventative measures, visit the county’s Public Health Department website at sbcphd.org.
This article appears in May 14-21, 2009.
